Level 3 to Provide VCU with Transport and IP Services to Help Meet Growing Network Demand

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LVLT, news, filings) today announced that it has been selected to provide high-speed Internet Protocol (HSIP) and Ethernet private line (EPL) services to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a research university based in Richmond, Va.

Situated in Richmond since 1838, VCU currently enrolls more than 32,000 students and has over 18,000 employees. Under the terms of the five-year agreement, VCU will leverage Level 3's network for HSIP and EPL services to meet the rising demand for bandwidth among the university's students and employees. The services will be deployed at the University Computing Center in Richmond.

"Our institution prides itself on offering its students and employees a rich educational environment as well as providing them with the tools needed to succeed in today's globally connected campus," said William Jones, network architect for VCU. "Level 3's expansive network services enable us to meet the rising demand for bandwidth among our student body, creating greater efficiency among our campus networks and opening our students to a world of information."

"For many years, Level 3's highly scalable Internet and data services have risen to meet the challenge of transporting astonishing volumes of research and educational data," said Andrew Crouch, president of Sales for Level 3. "Level 3's next-generation fiber-optic network offers the efficiency, resiliency and scalability necessary to support cutting-edge academic collaboration, and we are delighted that VCU is able to leverage our services to provide their students with first-class educational tools."

Level 3 leverages its extensive fiber-optic network, metro assets and a locally focused sales and sales support organization to deliver world-class services to enterprise customers and service providers throughout the United States.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3's ability to obtain additional financing; as well as the company's ability to: increase and maintain the volume of traffic on the network; successfully integrate acquisitions; develop effective business support systems; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.